Grooming is an important aspect of pet care. Not only will your dog’s coat be clean and shiny, you can also take the opportunity to inspect their body for abnormalities. Hematomas, for example, look like raised bruises. These painful injuries form when blood vessels rupture, but knowing their causes and treatment options will keep your pet healthy and happy in the future.      

Why Dogs Get Hematomas 

To

 relieve irritation caused by bug bites or other health conditions, dogs may excessively scratch the affected area or shake their bodies. These actions can cause blood vessels just below the skin’s surface to break, filling the area around it with blood. Due to their high concentration of blood vessels, subdermal hematomas are often found on dog’s ears. Vessels rupture when a dog shakes its head causing their ears to slap around.

Hematomas can also form on other parts of the body, including the brain and other internal organs. In addition to physical trauma, blood-clotting issues also cause hematomas.

Symptoms to Watch Out For 

If you come across swollen lumps while inspecting your dog’s body, a veterinarian can diagnose whether it’s a hematoma or other type of growth. Hematoma blisters are painful and your dog might show sensitivity to touch, avoiding letting anything rub against the affected area. Hematomas on the brain can lead to neurological problems, such as seizures and comas. When they develop on other organs, blisters can impair proper function.

How to Treat Hematomas 

A pet care specialist can detect subdermal hematomas during physical exams, using X-rays, ultrasounds, and MRI scans to perform more in-depth checks on internal organs. A veterinarian may decide to let the hematoma break down naturally or drain the affected area depending on the size of the lump. Surgery is performed to drain internal hematomas and prevent them from reforming.

To determine whether your dog has a hematoma or other health issue, contact the professionals at Animal Hospital of New Albany. In addition to veterinary services, the New Albany, OH-based animal hospital has been providing grooming and boarding for dogs, cats, birds, and exotic animals in Franklin and Licking counties since 1991. Learn about their pet care services online and call (614) 855-9643 for an appointment. See pictures of their cuddly patients on Facebook.